Title: Carry the Knight
Author: Miguel Lopez de Leon
Publisher: 2014, Galadria Worldwide
ISBN: 978-0692229033
Pages: 62, Paperback
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Reviewed by: Anita Lock, Pacific Book Review
Book Review
Jeremy appears to have everything that he needs. Leading a simple lifestyle, he enjoys spending quality time with those he lives with, namely his girlfriend Lily and their dog Flouncy. To top it off, Jeremy’s career is taking off, now that he has successfully published his first book. Life doesn’t get any better than this, or so he thinks until he is confronted by a flurry of disheartening events and an unexpected visit by a fairy.Carry the Knight is the first of a new set of novellas created by fantasy author Miguel Lopez de Leon. De Leon’s narrative focuses on the life of Jeremy, a young man in his late 20s. Happily situated in his urban environs with the ones that he loves, he is enjoying the life of a novice writer. Jeremy is unaware that there is more involved in the literary field than he anticipates, as De Leon aptly includes the stark realities of the tensions that can arise between writers and publishers. Unquestionably, Jeremy is not a happy camper as he succumbs to his publisher’s demands, and to ease his stress, he finds a “new friend”: vodka. Again, De Leon hones in on the slippery slope associated with alcohol consumption, and in the case of Jeremy, what began as a once-a-day drink turns into the completion of a bottle by day’s end. Equally important, is De Leon’s attention to the affects that one’s strained working environment coupled with excessive drinking can have upon family members. His narrative carefully contrasts Jeremy’s happy fun-filled life with his all-consuming routines. His intense lifestyle, together with unforeseen situations, only incurs additional strain on his now fragile relationship with Lily.
De Leon’s plot is not totally filled with doom and gloom, though, as he introduces a whole host of benevolent and malicious creatures into Jeremy’s seemingly despairing circumstances. Of critical importance is the role Eonie plays by revealing herself to Jeremy at a low point in his life. The protagonist fairy-like being who “breaks the rules of her realm” claims that he is destined to create “The book” that will help others. But Jeremy can only fulfill his destiny if Eonie guards him from the vicious attacks of various creatures, most notably the Reets. These deceptive beings, such as the seductive-looking vine woman with the red hypnotic eyes, not only loathe humans, but are also angered that Jeremy can see them.
Adding incentive to his providential literary future, De Leon includes another protagonist character whose shape-shifting qualities provide happiness while Jeremy concentrates on writing. Disguised as a playful pup named Plops and happily accompanying Jeremy in his bookish venture, it “transformed itself into a giant eagle, then a huge leopard, and finally settled on being an immense lion,” to deflect a slew of antagonist beings attempting to execute Jeremy’s demise. Indeed, De Leon has created incredibly curious characters aside of the vile Reets. For examples, the fanged slime blobs that can effectively ooze into places, and serpents that can transform into human likenesses.
A wonderful mix of reality and fiction that is filled with hope and high morals, Carry the Knight is both thought provoking and entertaining. Earmarked for young adults, older readers will equally find this fantastical novella well worth the read.
